Update on my dad

My dad and step-mom are headed into Chicago tonight for my dad's surgery which is first thing tomorrow morning. He has to be at Northwestern at 5 am (Chicago time) tomorrow and will have another MRI and surgery will begin at 7:30 am. It will be approximately a 5 hour long surgery and the plan is that he will be in the hospital for 5 days. I am so thankful for the support of so many. Between family and friends someone will be at the hospital each day he is there.

As I mentioned before my dad started some anti-seizure meds and steroids last week. We think that the steroids must be helping with the swelling b/c my dad has been feeling like he is better able to think and I've even noticed some improvement. But with that also comes more clarity about what is about to happen with the surgery, etc. It's just such a hard thing to process. I mean within the course of 1 1/2 weeks my dad not only was shocked with news that he has a brain tumor but will be having brain surgery.



We (Corey, Micah, and I) skyped my dad this morning. It's probably the last time I'll talk to him before he has surgery. It was hard to say good-bye, we were both emotional. Why? It's not good-bye, just see ya next week after the surgery. I really want to be in the hospital while he is there but just couldn't make it work. However, Micah and I will be flying to MI one week from Wed and will be able to spend time with my dad shortly after he gets home.



I'd again ask for your prayers for my dad. Specifically you can continue to pray that the surgery will go smoothly and they can completely remove the tumor, that the tumor will be benign, for a full recovery, and for peace and comfort especially for my dad. I'll give you an update tomorrow as soon as we know anything. Thanks for your prayers! God has answered many of our prayers already!

Micah 6 month stats

We were out of town for a week and our pediatrician was gone a week also so we didn't get Micah in for his 6 month check up until about 6 months and 3 weeks. Anyways, here are his stats.

Weight: 17lbs 10 oz (50%)
Length: 27 1/4" (75-90%)
Head Circumference: 17 1/4" (50%)

His percentiles have remainded pretty constant since birth and otherwise his check up went great. Well his doctor did say we need to keep getting him to eat more solids. Easier said than done though.

Our camera is temporarily MIA. I'll have more pics soon.

Prayer Request

Well while we were home (back in MI) this past week we found out some devastating news. Over the past few months my dad had been having some slight memory and other cognitive problems. He went in for an MRI on Friday and they found a brain tumor. Even as I write that it is still hard to believe, it was such a huge shock and huge blow to us all! My dad is 54 (or around there) and otherwise healthy. Anyways, with the long holiday weekend we didn't know anything and had to wait till today (Tues) to find out any news. My dad was actually able to get in to see a neurosurgeon at University of Chicago today! What a huge blessing to be able to get in to a top notch medical center (know for their neuro) on the same day he was referred! Anyways, the tumor is really large (I can't remember for sure but it is something like 2 1/2 inches by 1 inch which for a brain tumor is big) and based on the rate at which it grows they think it has been there for about 10 years. The doctors most immediate concern is that b/c of the tumor and all the swelling my dad could have a seizure. He has been started on steriods and anti-seizure meds. Basically now the treatment is going to consist of surgery to remove the tumor and then biopsy it to find out if it is malignant or benign. My dad will either have the surgery this Friday or they will get a second opinion and then have the surgery the following Friday.

It has been quit a rollercoaster of emotions from shock to worry to sadness to hope to fear and everywhere in between. I am SO thankful we were home to see my dad and spend some time with him. It would have been so hard to be half way across the country and feel so helpless. So for now we will just keep praying. My dad has people all over the country praying for him. If you would too that would be awesome! I know that God hears our prayers!! If you could pray for wisdom in all the decision making, healing for my dad, safety and success during the surgery, for the surgeon, for a full recovery, that the tumor is benign, and for my dad and all my family to be at peace and to trust God! I know that God is in control and that He is our hope! Thanks for your prayers and I will keep you updated!

UPDATE (Wed 9/8/10) My dad was able to get a second opinion today at NorthWestern (in Chicago). Both he and my step-mom really liked the surgeon and they have decided that he will be the doctor who will do the surgery. They both really felt at peace about that decision. My dad is now scheduled for surgery one week from today, so next Wed (9/15/10). Please keep praying for him. I am so thankful for the ways God has already answered so many prayers.l

Micah's 6 Month Photo Shoot

Yes, this is a screaming baby. No, this is not our screaming baby though this baby does resemble what our baby looked like this morning while attempting to get some 6 month pics taken. I guess it's kinda my fault. As I said, he hasn't been feeling well (teething and a cold) so I debated about rescheduling but figured he'd be fine. He had just eaten and taken an 1 1/2 nap and was happy on the car ride there. However, once we reached the studio and attempted to get some pics he was NOT having it. After several attempts and several melt downs the lady suggested we reschedule! Guess we'll have to do that. Haha.

Micah wanted to let you know....

that he voted. Well, I guess he actually helped me vote (I by "vote" I mean played with the cardboard divider thing at the voting booth).






In other news our little guy has had a rough couple of days. Yesterday evening he was incredibly fussy and was starting to pull at his ears. He had a HORRIBLE night...up most of it crying. He didn't have a fever but I gave him some tylenol in hopes it would help him sleep. He was still rubbing his ear this morning and so I thought I better take him in to the pediatrician to be sure it wasn't an ear infection. Nope, no ear infection, the doc thought it was just all from his teething..plus he has the start of a cold coming on as he is stuffed up and his eyes are watery. Poor little guy (oh yeah, and poor us too!:) Anyways, I'm hoping that he will be able to get some sleep tonight and that in turn we'll be able to get some sleep too. He didn't go down well though and he's already been tossing and turning for the last hour or so. I gave him some tylenol and even some teething tablets so I'm hoping he'll feel a little better.

6 months

6 months ago our little guy was born and 6 months from now he is going to be one year old. Crazy!!! Micah is doing great, he is such a sweet little boy. Well, I guess he still is a little baby but he is starting to seem like such a big boy. I'll try to give you a brief update on what Micah is up to these days.

As you can see from my attempts at getting a 6 month picture...Micah wanted nothing to do with it, though he did have fun playing with his toes and crumpling up the sign I made.

EATING: Still nursing 5 times/day but is also eating about 2-3 ounces of baby food/day. We are still on squash mostly b/c I haven't had time to make anything else. I think I'm going to make sweet potatoes and maybe do avacados this next week. He is doing a little better eating his baby food now though he still won't always go for the bib.

TEETHING: On his 6 month b-day we noticed his first little tooth poking through on is bottom gum. He is constantly chewing on anything he can get his mouth on and usually has his fingers in his mouth. It is hard for me to tell if he is more crabby from teething. Last night he was up at about 3 am crying. I let him cry for a little while but then realized that maybe his teeth were hurting so I gave him some tylenol to no avail. I finally just gave in and fed him and that did the trick.

SLEEPING: Micah goes to bed at 7:30 pm and is still waking up at around 5 am to eat. I guess I shouldn't complain b/c I know this is still almost a 10 hour stretch but I wish he could just wait to eat until he is up for the day b/c after he eats he will then sleep till 6 or 7 am.

ROLLING OVER: This little guy constantly rolls over, but still only from his back to this tummy. He is getting really strong now b/c when he is on his tummy he can lift his body up by straightening his arms.

THINGS MICAH LIKES/DOES: He still will use most of his toys in short doses, this includes the bouncy seat, bumbo, swing, exersaucer, playmat. He is also really good at holding toys now, though I think he is starting to learn the game where he drops a toy and we will pick it up. He wanted to play with my keys this morning after the service at church and I don't know how many times he threw them on the ground for me to pick up. We read him his Bible every night before bed and also attempt to read to him during the day but he has a pretty short attention span. He likes to be tickled and laughs so hard when we do, it is very cute!! Micah also does a "fake cough". It is so funny!! I think that he realizes that when he coughs he gets attention (like me patting him on the back and asking him if he is ok) so now he will fake cough to get attention too. At times he will also hold his breath, again I think to get attention. I am not a big fan of that trick! :) Micah still loves the water..whether it be his bath or the pool. And he still LOVES to splash. I think it is his goal when I give him a bath to empty all the water out of his tub!






Micah also loves to be outside, unfortunately the weather here is still way too hot (110s). Sometimes we'll all do an evening walk when the sun has gone down (though the temp is still 100+). He also loves to be in the BJORN and just hang out and watch whatever we are doing (cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, etc). Though I will say it was much easier when he just wanted to watch, now he wants to partake in the activity by grabbing at everything. Another fun activity Micah likes is "typing" on the keyboard. We have a spare keyboard so I think we're going to get it out for him to play with(that will also help keep our keyboard in tact).

Those are a few Micah updates for now, keep posted for more to come! :)

Happy 6 month Birthday!!!!

Dear Micah-
We are SO happy that 6 months ago God blessed us with our sweet little baby boy! Happy half birthday! We are so thankful for you, you have brought so much joy to our lives!! WE LOVE YOU LOTS!!

Love--Mommy and Daddy